ACMT Quality Measure Taskforce Update

As many of you know, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has initiated the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) which uses negative payment adjustments to promote reporting of Quality Measures (formally known as PQRS). Many of you already participate in cooperation with your hospital-based practice. However, few Quality Measures in existence apply to the practice of a medical toxicologist. And without applicable Quality Measures, practicing medical toxicology may become financially unsustainable due to the inability to participate in MIPS.

For nearly two years, an ACMT task force has been working to produce toxicology-specific and CMS-recognized Quality Measures. In producing Quality Measures, Medical Toxicology, as a specialty, can lead the charge and set the benchmark for quality when treating the poisoned patient. After much effort, the task force has now produced 14 potential Quality Measures. These Quality Measures are tailored to medical toxicology and your practice. However, these measures still require refinement and more feedback is needed before formal CMS approval is sought. Soon, we will seek ACMT membership for comment regarding these measures. Please, review your email from ACMT as a formal request is forthcoming.